Except for height, Splitter offers nothing else...

[Ice009]

I think most Spurs fans are thinking he will be a 20/10 type of player. Or forgetting stats, that he will be a big time impact player. That's not realistic. As I am trying to explain, we did not get a top level Euroleague player. We got a good Euroleague player.

It really seems to me from reading the comments from most Spurs fans that they really think he was a big star in Europe. He has been called an elite Euroleague player in this very thread. That's just simply not true.

I would put Splitter in the category of those bigs in Euroleague like Varejao and Oberto. So to me, I think the expectations for him in the NBA and the statements as to what he was in Europe are out of whack by most Spurs fans.

Yeah, I am closer to your opinion, but I also thought he could improve once he got here and be a better player. I never expected him to be 20 and 10, but I also don't see a lot of people on this board saying that either.

What do you think of my expectations? What do you think he can provide?

[Fireball]

He can take a charge? He tries really hard? Other than that, I'm all out of ideas.

Well, he burned your Cavs with his PnR Offense ... but that was his only good offensive game of the season. But his defense is great and he actually gets to the line very much for a rookie. The problem is he is not shooting the FTs very well.

[Bruno]

Splitter is a damn good player. He just need some playing time. If only Pop could start playing him instead of giving so many minutes to Bonner.

[DrSteffo]

All-NBA is not voted online by fans. All-Euroleague is voted online by fans. I watched Splitter play many, many times in the last 3 years in the Euroleague. He was not a top 5 Euroleague center at any time.

He was never an "elite" Euroleague player by any stretch of the imagination. I'm not sure if he was ever even the best player on his own team.

Please name 5 european Centers better than him last season? Why did people vote on him? How about the double MVPs in Spain?

Since I am eurupean and have watched him a lot I have to think that you are either trolling or that you are a hater for some reason. Maybe you have another fav. european team or something, I don't know.

[Bruno]

BTW, for people who still haven't figured it out: Mountain View, Arkansas.

[silverblk mystix]

Splitter is a rookie and it has been hard for him to get minutes. When he has played-he is far and away doing a lot of good things in a very short period of time.

To be thrown in sporadically and then given DNP's a few times will throw anybody off their game and he will have to adjust.

To play at a certain time every game for a certain number of minutes every game allows you to focus more on the game instead of trying to maximize the precious few minutes you might be thrown-just to impress the coach.

To be a garbage time player means you will mostly be on the floor with garbage time players.

The day that Pop decides to put Splitter in a consistent rotation is when Splitter will begin to show what he can do, especially when he consistently gets minutes with the big 3-IF Lord Pop ever decides to do it.

Only then will you see why Splitter was previously voted MVP.

[UnWantedTheory]

Oh how we love to entertain little Sequ....it gets better thread by thread.

[rmt]

Well, in basketball, isn't there a saying that height is everything? Imagine if Blair were 5 inches taller.

But seriously, nobody is expecting 20/10 from Splitter - those are Duncan and Garnett (average prime) numbers. 10 and 8 with good/great defense is more in line. This team doesn't need more offense but help defense and clogging up the lane when the opponent gets past the perimeter defender is exactly what this team needs (short of a great perimeter defender). His pick and roll defense is great too.

Looks like Pop's plan is garbage time for Splitter this year, and I guess more time next year when Dice is gone.

[J_Paco]

Pop is obviously giving Splitter the Oberto treatment of 2006. But, that's going to hurt this team come playoff time when Bonner falters (again) and Splitter isn't ready. I am hoping that eventually Pop changes his mind and begins trusting and playing Splitter more. Splitter and James Anderson are the biggest differences between the team that got bounced in the second round last year and this current team.

[dbestpro]

Pop is obviously giving Splitter the Oberto treatment of 2006. But, that's going to hurt this team come playoff time when Bonner falters (again) and Splitter isn't ready. I am hoping that eventually Pop changes his mind and begins trusting and playing Splitter more. Splitter and James Anderson are the biggest differences between the team that got bounced in the second round last year and this current team.

Spot on.

You can also through Gary Neal over RMJ as a solid addition.

[biskvito]

Splitter is a good fit for the old "boring" Spurs style. Maybe OP was expecting an european version of Amare Stoudemire. You won't see Splitter flying high on the top 10 dunks of the night, but you also won't see him being a brainless zombie on defense.

[Trainwreck2100]

You can't expect a falcon to fly with his wings tied up.

That may be, but you'd expect him to feast when locked in a cage full of mice

[Brazil]

Pop seems to have an issue with big men rookies: Ian, Blair, Oberto, Tiago... In the meantime he can trust rookie guards, see tp, manu, neal, ja...

[J_Paco]

That may be, but you'd expect him to feast when locked in a cage full of mice

I didn't watch the game, but you seem to forget that Mbenga and Smith are more experienced and athletic than Splitter. Splitter needs more minutes to adjust and adapt his game to the Spurs and NBA, minutes his coach would rather give to Matt Bonner.

You can also through Gary Neal over RMJ as a solid addition.

Yeah, I forgot about the addition of Neal and Jefferson's improved play over last season.

Pop seems to have an issue with big men rookies: Ian, Blair, Oberto, Tiago... In the meantime he can trust rookie guards, see tp, manu, neal, ja...

Maybe it's just easier for rookie guards and wings to learn and adapt to the Spurs system than big men. I believe it is more a trust issue between Pop and his rookie big man. Especially, when he has players with more experience (Duncan & McDyess) and knowledge (Bonner) available on the roster. Funny thing is that I thought re-signing Bonner would hurt Antonio and DeJuan playing time and Splitter would get the best chance (for a rookie) since Tim Duncan. Yet, Bonner's presence has hurt all three but in particular Splitter.

[it's me]

CIA Pop?..... saving some cards for the playoffs....?

[Rummpd]

height - check
apparent court savy - check
took charges (even if not called) from a 300lb Neanderthal - double check
went to the basket hard on several occassions - check
even when he did not get the boards he was competing - check
always is filling the paint defensively - check

I am ok with that.

[wontstartdumbthreads]

You can't expect a falcon to fly with his wings tied up.

How about: You shouldn't expect a mouse to fly.

[iminol]

via http://dimemag.com/2010/12/dime-nba-...e-the-top-5/3/

"2. San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Last week — Won at Golden State, lost at L.A. Clippers, beat Minnesota, beat New Orleans
Imagine how much better they’ll be when Tiago Splitter comes over from Brazil and joins the team.

[Mel_13]

via http://dimemag.com/2010/12/dime-nba-...e-the-top-5/3/

"2. San Antonio Spurs (17-3)
Last week — Won at Golden State, lost at L.A. Clippers, beat Minnesota, beat New Orleans
Imagine how much better they’ll be when Tiago Splitter comes over from Brazil and joins the team.

That's pretty funny.

[boutons_deux]

[Trainwreck2100]

I didn't watch the game, but you seem to forget that Mbenga and Smith are more experienced and athletic than Splitter. Splitter needs more minutes to adjust and adapt his game to the Spurs and NBA, minutes his coach would rather give to Matt Bonner.

so he should be given minutes against quality lines when he can't beat lines. ty or not Bonner has experience against nba caliber players. You ing tiago ers want to blow games just to get him off the schnide.

[BRs.Ganso]

obviusly he offers nothing.... other players dont pass the ball to him... its hard to make something.

[mountainballer]

Last season? How about,

Batiste
Bourousis
Pekovic
Maric
Kaun

All 5 of them were better in the Euroleague last year than Splitter.

why am I not surprised to find two Pana players from last season, plus a Pana player from this season, plus an Olympiacos player. (no idea how Kaun made this list though. was there a rumor he could go to Greece?)
yup. Mountain View is back.

[Trainwreck2100]

obviusly he offers nothing.... other players dont pass the ball to him... its hard to make something.

he doesn't need to make anything to be a factor on defense

[jermaine]

I can only assume, given your posting history, that you'd prefer Bonner get his minutes...

I want spiltter to get more mins too, but at least Bonner can give you a couple of 3s! People on here diss Bonner like he doesnt play hard. He tries his ass off every play. Its like blaming a re ed kid for being re ed! It's not his fualt that he's not a stopper! Spillter plays hars but other than P&R what else does he bring!(an thats if they get the ball to him). He seems that he cant shoot fts either! I thought he was the great new hope! To mention Splitter an Oberto in the same sentance is a slap in Manus face! Im not saying he's not good but the Spurs dont know how to use him yet! Like RJs 1st yr.